Spring bar pliers/calipers recommendations (UK)

[thewolfofmiddlesex]

Hi, can anyone recommend a decent set of spring bar pliers that'll work well for a bracelet swap on a 116500 Daytona? I've heard the Bergeon ones are excellent but are there any good cheaper alternatives readily available in the UK. (A set that would also work well with a steel skydweller and ceramic daytona would be ideal)
Thanks in advance for any recommendations.

[S.Explorer]

Some have used generic tweezers with no issues, e.g. from Amazon but some report that the tips break easily. Important to get the bevelled tips with 1.0mm width.

The right tweezers are otherwise hard to find in the UK.

Alternatively, ask the AD to do it but ensure your watch is taped up!

[thewolfofmiddlesex]

Thanks for the advice, appreciated.

[Easy E]

I like these, also have a 7825 which is good, but pricey.

https://www.esslinger.com/horofix-wa...ers-band-tool/

[thewolfofmiddlesex]

Thanks Easy E, but they're not available in the UK.

[RichardBartlett]

loads on ebay

[Devildog]

Originally Posted by thewolfofmiddlesex

Hi, can anyone recommend a decent set of spring bar pliers that'll work well for a bracelet swap on a 116500 Daytona? I've heard the Bergeon ones are excellent but are there any good cheaper alternatives readily available in the UK. (A set that would also work well with a steel skydweller and ceramic daytona would be ideal)
Thanks in advance for any recommendations.

You've got £20k of watches and you'e looking for a cheap alternative to save £50?

Seriously?

Don't be silly. Buy the Bergeon ones for £120

https://www.cousinsuk.com/product/be...g-bar-tweezers

[928ktgold]

Don’t do it. I got the Bergeron expensive set. Practiced, taped off the lugs to protect them and still damaged my lugs on a 116500LN white. Totally bummed. Not worth it. Be very very careful or better yet don’t do it at all. Too risky

[Harry-57]

Seems like a ridiculous question to be asking a Daytona owner - what's your budget?

It takes practice. I use a Nam Hing spring bar tool but that's like £100.

[Airkingchnr]

As above, I will.never change another bracelet on any of my expensive watches.....
I bought the expensive Bergeon tweezers taped off the lugs had my best reading specs on and

..... Butchered the lugs to such an extant it cost me £300 to get a profesional polish .... I never stopped at one side i messed up 3 of the 4 lugs
luckily it was an Omega so a 3k watch ....
As said I will never swop a bracelet again lesson learned

Be careful

[worldofoyster]

https://www.esslinger.com/horofix-spring-bar-tweezers/

similar to the 7825 but cheaper

[daytonadweller]

I've been collecting for ~25 years. Went back and forth on the Bergeon 7825 for maybe the last 10 years. Had a "cheap one" from Amazon that was trash. Finally bought a Bergeon last week. Not looking back.

[jamesgames]

just be patient with the Bergeon and dont clamp down until you are 110% sure both sides are on the correct area. I wouldnt skimp out on the tool for your rolex. Buy the good tool to prevent damage.

[Zach69SS]

Get a good one mate or take it the watchmaker. I would not want to damage my Daytona.

[thewolfofmiddlesex]

Thanks for all the tips and advice. I ordered the Bergeon 7825 in the end ... will update how i get on. I'll take it very cautiously as I go! Wish me luck!

[drrd]

Can I be nosey and ask why you want to remove bracelets?

I’m 100% with the people who said ‘don’t’ btw.

[thewolfofmiddlesex]

Sure Drrd, it's because I purchased this strap (2nd image down, black with red stitch.

https://www.scottishwatches.co.uk/20...leather-strap/

I want to wear the watch fairly often and to try to preserve the metal strap using that sparingly for more formal outings. I've seen so many badly scratched up PCL straps and want to avoid that if I can which would be inevitable if I daily it. I'd also be less self conscious if I wear the more dressed down strap as the bracelet can be a bit showy.

[drrd]

Originally Posted by thewolfofmiddlesex

Sure Drrd, it's because I purchased this strap (2nd image down, black with red stitch.

https://www.scottishwatches.co.uk/20...leather-strap/

I want to wear the watch fairly often and to try to preserve the metal strap using that sparingly for more formal outings. I've seen so many badly scratched up PCL straps and want to avoid that if I can which would be inevitable if I daily it. I'd also be less self conscious if I wear the more dressed down strap as the bracelet can be a bit showy.

Ok, thanks.

It’s a trickier job than some make out and you might need to practice.

Also be prepared to maintain or replace tips if you’re doing this regularly. They’re very small and if they slip or break it’s the same result as if you fumble it.

[daytonadweller]

I'll also add that having visible magnification is a game changer. I bought a cheap set from Amazon. Makes the whole process so much easier. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B7J9MDCL...fed_asin_title

[928ktgold]

Originally Posted by thewolfofmiddlesex

Sure Drrd, it's because I purchased this strap (2nd image down, black with red stitch.

https://www.scottishwatches.co.uk/20...leather-strap/

I want to wear the watch fairly often and to try to preserve the metal strap using that sparingly for more formal outings. I've seen so many badly scratched up PCL straps and want to avoid that if I can which would be inevitable if I daily it. I'd also be less self conscious if I wear the more dressed down strap as the bracelet can be a bit showy.

I thought the same. Preserve that PCL strap. What a mistake. The straps just don’t compare. Plus your lugs will get damaged almost 100%. If not a ding, definitely scratches along the inside of the lugs. Even RSC scratch these things up. It’s very tight in there. It bothered me enough that I get a new 116500LN. Not worth it. The bracelet doesn’t even scratch that much. It’s going to be a very costly mistake

[Harry-57]

When attaching a bracelet the trick is to keep the end link absolutely still in the tweezers and manoeuvre the watch into position. I cover the lugs with heat proof tape which leaves no residue when you peel it off. I put tape over the top of the lugs to cover the gap between them and move the watch down onto the end link. I also use magnification and bright lighting. You can't be too careful but you can do it without damaging the watch.

[drrd]

Originally Posted by Harry-57

When attaching a bracelet the trick is to keep the end link absolutely still in the tweezers and manoeuvre the watch into position. I cover the lugs with heat proof tape which leaves no residue when you peel it off. I put tape over the top of the lugs to cover the gap between them and move the watch down onto the end link. I also use magnification and bright lighting. You can't be too careful but you can do it without damaging the watch.

That’s it, focus on keeping consistent pressure and contact between the tweezers and the end link.

And trust the tips don’t let you down!

[Goose 104]

Originally Posted by Airkingchnr

As above, I will.never change another bracelet on any of my expensive watches.....

I bought the expensive Bergeon tweezers taped off the lugs had my best reading specs on and



..... Butchered the lugs to such an extant it cost me £300 to get a profesional polish .... I never stopped at one side i messed up 3 of the 4 lugs

luckily it was an Omega so a 3k watch ....

As said I will never swop a bracelet again lesson learned



Be careful

I will third this.

Bought the Bergeon tweezers and damaged the lugs on my Tudor (thankfully not Rolex) BB58. The issue is the ends of the tweezers are shallow forks and you cannot hold the end link andove at all so when bringing the watch head onto the end link held with tweezers it will let go and then the spring bar might hit the top of the lugs. I have had more success using a standard Bergeon spring bar too (non forked end) and pushing in the traditional way.

Having said that the tweezers do work well for adjusting the Rolex clasps (moving micro adjust to the next divot).

My advice is get a trusted AD or RSC to do it.

[thewolfofmiddlesex]

....for all your valuable tips and tricks. I took the plunge and gave it a go. It was heart stopping!
Got the job done though and I would have truely botched it up if it wasnt for all the useful bits of advice I got here from you guys, especially, tape down to protect, good light magnifiers and lots of patience!

[CarlOver]

PSA: stay away from watchscrewdrivers.com.

Total scam site. They pinch Esslinger site info.